The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a sweeping revision of the timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.
The adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines governing Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja, the Commission said the revised legal framework necessitated a comprehensive realignment of previously scheduled dates to ensure full compliance with the law.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated that INEC had “reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework” established under the 2026 Act.
Under the updated timetable, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on February 6, 2027 — a shift from the earlier plan that scheduled the presidential election for late February and state-level polls in March.
The revised calendar also affects off-cycle elections. The Osun State governorship election, initially slated for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to August 15, 2026. INEC noted that while certain preparatory activities for the Ekiti and Osun elections have already been completed, all outstanding processes will now be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The new schedule introduces an accelerated timeline for political parties. Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, are to commence on April 23, 2026, and conclude no later than May 30, 2026.
Campaign activities for presidential and National Assembly candidates will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and State House of Assembly elections will start on September 9, 2026.
INEC stressed that all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, in line with statutory requirements.
Haruna urged political actors to demonstrate discipline during the transition period, warning that the Commission would strictly enforce compliance with the new legal provisions.
The Commission maintained that the revised timetable remains consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026, emphasising that the success of the 2027 elections will depend on the collective commitment of all stakeholders to peaceful, credible, and inclusive polls that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
